A device for generating electric energy

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a device for generating electric energy. The device comprises a panel that is at least partially transmissive for visible light. The panel has a receiving surface for receiving incident light and is arranged such that a portion of the incident light is redirected towards regions that are at edges or side portions of the panel. The device further comprises a plurality of photovoltaic elements positioned at or in the proximity of the edges or side portions of the panel. Each of the plurality of photovoltaic elements is electrically parallel connected to another one of the plurality of photovoltaic elements and the device is arranged to generate the electricity from at least a portion of the redirected incident light.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for generating electric energyand relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a device comprisinga photovoltaic element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Overheating of interior spaces, such as spaces that receive sunlightthrough large windows, is a problem that may be overcome using airconditioners. A large amount of energy is globally used to cool interiorspaces. The majority of electrical energy is generated usingnon-sustainable sources, which is of increasing environmental concern.

PCT international applications numbers PCT/AU2012/000778 andPCT/AU2012/000787 (both owned by the present applicant) disclose aspectrally selective panel that may be used as a windowpane and that islargely transmissive for visible light, but diverts a portion ofincident light to side portions of the panel where it is absorbed byphotovoltaic elements to generate electricity.

The present invention provides further improvements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a devicefor generating electric energy, the device comprising:

-   -   a panel that is at least partially transmissive for visible        light, the panel having a receiving surface for receiving        incident light and being arranged such that a portion of the        incident light is redirected towards regions that are at edges        of the panel; and    -   a plurality of photovoltaic elements comprising a first and a        second photovoltaic element that are positioned at or in the        proximity of the same edge of the panel, the first photovoltaic        element having an orientation relative to the receiving surface        of the panel that is different to an orientation of the second        photovoltaic element relative to the receiving surface of the        panel;    -   wherein one of the first and second photovoltaic elements is        positioned to receive light that is redirected through the edge        of the panel and the other photovoltaic element is positioned to        receive light that is redirected through an area in the        proximity of the edge; and    -   wherein the device is arranged to generate the electricity from        at least a portion of the redirected light.

Throughout this specification the term “photovoltaic element” is usedfor a single photovoltaic cells or photovoltaic modules that maycomprise a plurality of series connected single photovoltaic cells.

In one embodiment of the present invention the first photovoltaicelement is facing the edge and arranged to receive light that isredirected through the edge and the second photovoltaic element ispositioned adjacent the edge and facing a surface portion that isparallel or oriented along the receiving surface of the panel to receivelight that is redirected through the area in the proximity of the edge.

The first and second photovoltaic elements may be oriented along thatsame edge of the panel. Further, the first and second photovoltaicelements may be electrically parallel connected to each other. The firstphotovoltaic element may be oriented along that edge of the panel andmay be substantially perpendicular to the receiving surface of thepanel. The second photovoltaic element may also be oriented at or alongthat edge of the panel, but may be substantially parallel and over, orparallel and below, the receiving surface of the panel.

The panel may have a plurality of edges and the first photovoltaicelement may be one of a plurality of photovoltaic elements that arepositioned at different edges and also the second photovoltaic elementmay be one of a plurality of photovoltaic elements that are positionedat different edges.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a devicefor generating electric energy, the device comprising:

-   -   a panel that is at least partially transmissive for visible        light, the panel having a receiving surface for receiving        incident light and being arranged such that a portion of the        incident light is redirected towards regions that are at edges        or side portions of the panel; and    -   a plurality of photovoltaic elements positioned at or in the        proximity of the edges or side portions of the panel;    -   wherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic elements is        electrically parallel connected to another one of the plurality        of photovoltaic elements and the device is arranged to generate        the electricity from at least a portion of the redirected        incident light.

At least two of the photovoltaic elements may be positioned at or in theproximity of the same edge or side portion of the panel. The at leasttwo photovoltaic elements may be oriented along the same edge or sideportion of the panel.

Alternatively, at least two of the photovoltaic elements may bepositioned at or in the proximity of respective edges or side portionsof the panel.

At least two of the photovoltaic elements may be positioned such thateach receiving plane of the at least two photovoltaic elements has adifferent orientation relative to the panel. Alternatively oradditionally, at least two of the photovoltaic elements may bepositioned such that each receiving plane of the at least twophotovoltaic elements has the same orientation relative to the panel.

The Following Introduces Features that the Invention in Accordance withEither of the First Aspect or the Second Aspect May have.

The frame structure may comprise a support for supporting photovoltaicelements at or in the proximity of the edge portion of the panel. Atleast one further photovoltaic element may also be positioned on theframe structure and arranged to collect light that is directed towardsthe frame structure.

In one specific embodiment the panel has a component that is arrangedsuch that at least a portion of light that is incident on the panel isredirected by the component into at least one direction that istransversal to a surface normal of the panel.

The frame structure may comprise a holder for holding at least onephotovoltaic element and that is arranged such that the at least onephotovoltaic element is replaceable. Further, the frame structure may bearranged such that the panel is replaceable without replacing the atleast one photovoltaic element.

The panel may have projections that project within a plane of the paneland at which the frame structure supports the spectrally selectivepanel. At least one photovoltaic element may be positioned at a recessof the panel between adjacent ones of the projections.

The frame structure may have a groove or channel in which at least onephotovoltaic element is positioned. An optically transmissive coveringmay be positioned over the at least one photovoltaic element and in thegroove or channel to protect the at least one photovoltaic element. Anedge of the panel is positioned within or at the groove or channel. Theat least one photovoltaic element may have a width that is larger than athickness of the panel and may be positioned such that at least aportion of light that is guided towards the edge of the panel, but isscattered out of the panel in the proximity of the edge, is collected bythe at least one photovoltaic element. Alternatively, the at least onephotovoltaic element may have a width that approximates a thickness ofthe panel.

In one embodiment the of the present invention the panel has bores atedges, such as in the proximity of corners of the panel, and the panelis secured within the device by brackets that extend from the frame tothe bores of the panel and wherein the panel is coupled to the bracketsby projections that project through the bores. The projections may bebolts. At least one photovoltaic element may be positioned between theframe and the panel and may have a width that is larger than a thicknessof the panel and is positioned such that at least a portion of lightthat is guided towards the edge of the panel, but is scattered out ofthe panel in the proximity of the edge, is collected by the at least onephotovoltaic element. In this embodiment the at least one photovoltaicelement may be positioned in a groove of the frame and an edge of thepanel may also be positioned in the groove. Alternatively, the edge ofthe panel may not be positioned in a groove (and the at least onephotovoltaic element may or may not be positioned in a groove) and thepanel may be held exclusively by the bracket with the bolt and asuitable sealing agent that may be applied between edges of the paneland the frame.

In some embodiments, the panel is spectrally selective. The component ofthe panel may be arranged such that at least a portion of incident IRlight and/or visible light is redirected in a direction that istransversal to the surface normal of the panel, whereby the device isarranged such that at least a portion of IR light and/or visible lightand/or UV light that is incident on the panel is directed towards the atleast one photovoltaic element.

The panel may be transmissive for more than 80%, 70%, 50%, 30%, 20% or10% of incident visible light and at least a portion of the visiblelight may be directed in the at least one direction that is transversalto a surface normal of the panel.

The frame structure may be arranged to support the at least onephotovoltaic element at a position that is at the edge or side portionof the panel and in front and/or behind of the edge or side portion ofthe panel.

In an embodiment the panel comprises at least one additionalphotovoltaic element that is positioned in a direction along thereceiving surface of the panel wherein the device is arranged such thatat least a portion of the redirected incident light is directed towardsthe at least one additional photovoltaic element.

In one embodiment the panel is arranged such that at least a portion ofincident light is directed entirely within solid material of the paneland along the panel towards a side portion or an edge of the panel.

The panel may also comprise at least two spaced apart component panelsthat are positioned substantially parallel to each other. At least oneor an additional photovoltaic element may be supported at a positionthat is at least partially between adjacent component panels and at ornear edge portions of the component panel such that at least a portionof light that is redirected by the panel into a region between theadjacent component panels is directed towards the at least one or theadditional photovoltaic element.

The device may further comprise at least one diode that is arranged tocontrol a direction of a flow of a current generated by the at least onephotovoltaic element of the device. For example, if the device comprisesa plurality of photovoltaic elements that are connected in parallel, theat least one diode may be arranged such that a direction of current flowin a photovoltaic element that does not result in a reduction of anelectrical output of the device. By controlling the direction of currentflow influences of shading or faulty photovoltaic element on anelectrical output of the device may be reduced.

The device, which may be provided in the form of a window of a buildingor another structure, may comprise at least one further photovoltaicelement that is positioned on a side portion of the frame structure tocollect incident light that is in use directed towards the framestructure. The at least one further photovoltaic element may bepositioned in a plane that is substantially parallel to that of thepanel. Alternatively, the at least one further photovoltaic element maybe positioned in a plane that is inclined relative to the plane of thepanel. For example, the at least one further photovoltaic element may bepositioned on the frame structure and in a plane that is inclined in amanner such that a collection of sunlight by the at least one furtherphotovoltaic element in use is facilitated. An angle of inclination maybe of any suitable magnitude, such as an angle within the range 70-60,60-50, 50-40, 40-30, 30-20, 20-10 and 10-1 degrees. The plane in whichthe at least one further photovoltaic element is positioned may beinclined about any suitable axis, such as an axis that is substantiallyhorizontal when the device is in use. Further, the at least one furtherphotovoltaic element may be inclined by an angle that is larger than 90degrees relative to a ground plane when the device is in use andpositioned in a generally vertical orientation.

In one embodiment the device comprises a first plurality of photovoltaicelements that are positioned at edges of the panel to collect light thisis directed towards the edges of the panel and a second plurality offurther photovoltaic elements that are positioned on the frame structureto collect light that is in use directed towards the frame structure. Atleast two of the photovoltaic elements of the first plurality may beconnected in parallel to each other and at least two of the secondplurality of further photovoltaic elements may also be connected inparallel to each other. The device may further comprise first diodesthat are series connected with respective ones of the first photovoltaicelements and second diodes that are series connected with respectiveones of the second photovoltaic elements such that a current flow in acomponent of the device (such as a faulty component or a photovoltaiccell that is overshadowed) in a direction that would have an adverseinfluence on the output of the device can be reduced. The firstplurality of the photovoltaic elements may be connected in parallel tothe second plurality of the further photovoltaic elements.

The photovoltaic elements may be of the same type or at least some ofthe photovoltaic elements may be of different types. For example, thephotovoltaic elements may comprise different types of semiconductormaterial, such as one or more of Si, CdS, CdTe, GaAs, CIS or CIGS.

The at least one electric element may comprise at least one electriclead that is coupled to the at least one photovoltaic element. The atleast one electric lead may be positioned within the frame structure,for example within a channel portion, and may be surrounded by the framestructure.

The device may comprise at least one coupling for coupling to externalelectric devices. The at least one coupling may be positioned at asurface portion of the frame structure such that the at least onecoupling is accessible from a location outside the device. The at leastone coupling may comprise a socket that is directly or indirectlyelectrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic element. Forexample, the socket may be arranged for coupling directly or indirectlyto a smart phone, tablet, computer or any other suitable device tooperate the device or charge a battery of the device. The at least onecoupling may further comprise a transformer that is arranged totransform an output from the at least one photovoltaic element. In aspecific example, the output may be a voltage and the transformer may bearranged to transform that voltage into any suitable voltage, such assubstantially 18V, which is particularly suitable for charging a batteryof a mobile device.

In addition, the device itself may comprise further electric components.For example, the device may comprise a battery and may be arranged tocharge the battery using electric energy generated by the at least onephotovoltaic element. The electric component may also comprise atransformer that is arranged to receive an output from the at least onephotovoltaic element. A transformed output may be accessible via thesocket or the like. Further, the device may comprise a voltage regulatorand may also comprise an inverter.

The at least one electric element may also comprise a light source, suchas a LED light source, that is used to supplement illumination usingelectrical energy provided (directly or indirectly) by the at least onephotovoltaic element. Additionally, the at least one electric elementmay also comprise a battery together with additional suitable electriccomponents and the device may be arranged for night time illumination(for example) using the light source and electric energy provided by thebattery that is charged during daytime.

The frame structure may comprise any suitable material (such as ametallic or plastics material) and may define interior portions in whichthe electric components and electric leads may be positioned.

The frame structure may comprise portions that are positioned alongedges of the panel and may surround the panel.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a further panel such as a glasspanel and the panels are positioned in parallel to each other. Thedevice may for example be provided in form of a double-glassed window ofa building.

The device may further comprise a cooling arrangement that is arrangedfor cooling the photovoltaic elements. The cooling arrangement maycomprise a heat sink that may be positioned on a portion of the framestructure. The cooling arrangement may also be arranged to transfer heatfrom the photovoltaic elements to a further medium. For example, thefurther medium may be water.

The device may be provided in the form of a window of a building, motorvehicle or any other structure that comprises windows.

The following will describe further details of the spectrally selectivepanel of the device in accordance with either one of the first andsecond aspects of the present invention.

The spectrally selective panel has in one embodiment a receiving surfacefor receiving incident radiation and comprises at least one reflectivecomponent that is arranged to reflect a portion of received incidentradiation that penetrated through a depth portion of the panel to thereflective component, the at least one reflective component comprising aseries of reflective portions that are inclined relative to thereceiving surface such that at least a portion of the reflectedradiation is re-directed within and along the panel.

The at least one reflective component may comprise an opticalinterference coating that is positioned at or in the proximity of thereflective portions and arranged to reflect at least a portion ofincident radiation. The reflective portions may for example be arrangedin a “saw-tooth” arrangement. Each reflective portion typically isprovided in the form of a strip of any suitable length, such as a lengththat extends along at least a portion of, or the entire, length or widthof the spectrally selective panel.

In an alternative embodiment the spectrally selective panel maycomprise:

-   -   a first material being at least partially transmissive for light        having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range and being        arranged for guiding suitable light; and    -   a diffractive element being positioned within the first        material, the diffractive element being arranged to deflect        predominantly light having a wavelength in an IR wavelength band        and having a plurality of grooves that are at least partially        filled with a scattering material or a luminescent material;    -   wherein the diffractive element is arranged such that at least a        portion of energy associated with IR light incident from at        least one transversal direction of the spectrally selective        panel is directed towards a side portion or edge of the panel.

In an embodiment the spectrally selective panel may also comprise anoptical interference coating that is arranged to reflect incident lightwithin an infrared (IR) wavelength band and/or within an ultraviolet(UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least themajority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelengthband, the optical interference coating comprising layers of dielectricmaterials.

The optical interference coating may be positioned such that in useincident light penetrates through the first panel portion beforereaching the optical interference coating.

In addition, the spectrally selective panel may also comprise aluminescent material that is arranged to absorb at least a portion ofincident and/or reflected radiation and emit radiation by luminescence.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided adevice for generating electric energy, the device comprising:

-   -   a panel that is at least partially transmissive for visible        light, the panel having a component that is arranged such that        at least a portion of incident light received at a receiving        surface of the panel is redirected along the panel to a side        portion or edge of the panel;    -   at least one photovoltaic element, the at least one photovoltaic        element and the panel being arranged in a mutually overlapping        relationship to each other;    -   wherein the device is arranged such that at least a portion of        the redirected incident light is directed towards the at least        one photovoltaic element to generate electric energy.

The at least one photovoltaic element may be positioned at an edgeportion of the surface of the panel.

The at least one photovoltaic element may be arranged in a directionalong the receiving surface of the panel. Alternatively, the at leastone photovoltaic element may be inclined relative to the portion of thepanel.

In a specific embodiment, the at least one photovoltaic element isarranged on a portion of the receiving surface of the panel and/or on aportion of a surface that is opposite to the receiving surface. Forexample, a pair of photovoltaic elements may be positioned on respectiveopposite surfaces and arranged to face each other.

The at least one photovoltaic element typically has at least one activesurface portion that faces the panel. In a specific embodiment, the atleast one photovoltaic element has at least two active surface portionswherein at least one active surface portion faces towards the incidentlight. In this way, in addition to the redirected incident light, the atleast one photovoltaic elements can directly receive a portion of theincident light.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises at least one furtherphotovoltaic element positioned at the side portion or the edge of thepanel and is substantially perpendicular relative to the at least onephotovoltaic element.

In some embodiments, the panel is spectrally selective and the componentis arranged such that at least a portion of incident infrared (IR) lightand/or ultraviolet (UV) light is directed towards the at least onephotovoltaic element.

The panel may be transmissive for more than 80%, 70%, 50%, 30%, 20% or10% of incident visible light and at least a portion of the incidentvisible light is directed in a direction that is substantiallytransversal to a surface normal of the panel.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a system comprising a plurality of devices in accordance withany one of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention.

The plurality of devices may be electrically connected in parallel. Thesystem may comprise at least one electrical coupling that interconnectsa plurality of the devices in a modular manner. Further, the system maycomprise a plurality of diodes that are arranged to control a directionof a flow of a current generated by the at least one photovoltaicelement of each device such that an adverse influence of a direction ofcurrent flow in a portion of the device on an output of the device isreduced.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of manufacturing the device in accordance with any oneof the first, second or third aspects of the present invention, themethod comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing the panel;    -   providing the frame structure;    -   providing the photovoltaic elements;    -   positioning the photovoltaic elements in or on the frame        structure; and thereafter        positioning the panel into or on the frame structure.

The method may comprise forming a groove or channel and positioning atleast one of the photovoltaic elements in the groove or channel.Further, the method may comprise positioning a cover of an opticallytransmissive material over the at least one photovoltaic element andinto the groove or channel to protect the photovoltaic element.

The method may be conducted such that at least one of the photovoltaicelements is positioned between the frame and the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation (along line AB as shown inFIG. 1) of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation (along line AB as shown inFIG. 1) of a device in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional representations of variations ofthe device shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional representations (along line CD asshown in FIG. 1) of a device in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional representation of devices in accordance withfurther embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a component of the of an embodimentin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of coupled devices in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional representation of devices in accordancewith further embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic wiring diagram of a device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of a plurality of the devices inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic representations of spectrally selectivepanels in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 9, a device comprising a spectrallyselective panel according to an embodiment of the present invention isnow described.

The device 100 may for example be provided in the form of a window of abuilding, a sky light, a window of a car or any other structure thatusually comprises windows. A person skilled in the art will appreciatethat the device 100 may be applied to different structures, such aswalls and roof and the like.

In this particular embodiment, the device comprises a frame 102 thatholds a spectrally selective panel 104. The spectrally selective panel104 comprises various components that will be described further below inmore detail. The spectrally selective panel 104 is arranged such that aportion of incident infrared (IR) light, such as sunlight, is directedtowards side portions or edges of the panel 104. The IR light may bedirected within and along the panel 104 towards an edge of the panel104. Further, a portion of the IR light may also be directed towards aregion that is in front or behind the panel 104 at side portions of thepanel 104. The spectrally selective panel 104 is arranged such that atleast the majority of light within the visible wavelength range istransmitted.

In an alternative embodiment the panel is arranged such that at least aportion of visible light is directed towards the side portions or edgesof the panel and consequently towards the at least one photovoltaicelement. Specifically, the visible light transmission of the panel maybe less than 80%, or less than 70%, or less than 50%, or less than 30%,or less than 20% or even less than 10%.

The frame structure 102 may be provided in a suitable form and may beformed from any suitable materials, such as metallic materials, plasticmaterials or wood. The frame 102 surrounds the panel 104 and alsosupports photovoltaic elements 106. The frame 102 comprises holders inform of brackets or the like to hold the photovoltaic elements 106 inpositions at which in use the photovoltaic elements 106 receive at leasta portion of the re-directed IR light. In this embodiment, thephotovoltaic elements 106 are replaceable. Specifically, the holders forthe photovoltaic elements 106 are arranged such that the photovoltaicelements 106 can be replaced, if for example a photovoltaic element isfaulty or is replaced with a different type of photovoltaic element.

In this particular embodiment, the photovoltaic elements 106 are of thesame type. However, it should be appreciated that the photovoltaicelements may include elements that are of different types. For example,the photovoltaic elements may comprise different respectivesemiconductor materials, such as Si, CdS, CdTe, GaAs, CIS or CIGS or anyother suitable semiconductor material.

The frame structure 102 comprises in this embodiment sockets 108 thatare electrically connected to the photovoltaic elements 106. The sockets108 may be arranged for connection to a smart phone, a computer or anyother device for operation of the device or charging of a battery of thedevice. Specifically, the sockets 108 that are electrically connected tothe photovoltaic elements 106 may be arranged to provide a voltage ofsubstantially 18V, which is particularly suitable for charging a batteryof a mobile device. In one example, the sockets 108 further comprise atransformer for transforming a voltage output from the photovoltaicelements 106 to a suitable voltage, such as the abovementioned 18V. In avariation of the described embodiment the frame may also comprise a plugfor any suitable application.

The frame 102 further comprises electric devices 110 and may for examplecomprise a transformer that is arranged to transform a voltage outputfrom the photovoltaic elements 106. Further, the electric devices 110may comprise a voltage regulator and an inverter to generate an ACcurrent. The electric devices 110 may also comprise a battery that isarranged to receive charges directly from the photovoltaic elements 106.The battery may be coupled to the sockets 108. Consequently, the device100 may be arranged to direct IR light towards edges or side portions ofthe panel 104, convert the re-directed IR light into electrical energyand charge a battery or operate an external device.

In addition, the electric devices 110 may comprise a light source, suchas an LED light source that is operated using electrical energy providedby the photovoltaic elements 106 such that an amount of visible lightcan be increased. Alternatively or additionally, the electric devices110 may comprise a battery, a light source and suitable electroniccomponents. The device 100 may in this case be arranged for night timeillumination using the light source (such as LED lamps) that arepositioned in the frame 102 and are operated using electric energyprovided by the battery. The frame 102 comprises cavities (not shown)for directing electric leads between the abovementioned components.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view (along line A-B in FIG. 1) of adevice in accordance with a first specific embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment the panel 104 is arranged to directincident IR light within and along the panel towards an edge of thepanel such that the re-directed IR light exits the panel 104 via an edgeof he panel 104 and is received by the photovoltaic element 106 at theedge.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional representation of the device inaccordance with a further specific embodiment of the present invention.It should be noted that throughout the specification like numerals areused for like components. The device comprises in this case additionalphotovoltaic elements 106 that are arranged to collect IR light that isredirected to regions that are in front and behind the panel 104. Itwill be appreciated that adjacent photovoltaic elements 106 mayalternatively also be replaced by a single photovoltaic element 106.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional representation that is related tothat shown in FIG. 3, but the device comprises further photovoltaicelements 200 that are positioned on a face of the frame structure 102.The further photovoltaic elements 200 form a right angle with thephotovoltaic elements 106. In this embodiment, the device 100 isprovided in the form of a window for a building and the furtherphotovoltaic elements 200 are in use positioned outside the framestructure 102 to receive incident light that is directed towards theframe structure 102. The further photovoltaic elements 200 arepositioned below a covering panel (such as a glass panel or a panelformed from a suitable plastics material). In this embodiment, the panel104 and the frame structure 102 are substantially rectangular and theframe comprises four further photovoltaic elements 200, one for eachside portion. Alternatively, each further photovoltaic element 200 maycomprise a plurality of photovoltaic elements. Turning now to FIG. 5,there is illustrated a cross-sectional representation of a furtherspecific embodiment of the device 100. The shown cross-sectionalrepresentation is related to that shown in FIG. 4, but in this casefurther photovoltaic elements 210 do not form a right angle with thephotovoltaic elements 106, but are positioned on an inclined surface.The surfaces are inclined (for example by an angle of 30 degreesrelative to the panel 104 or another suitable angle) such that receptionof incident light by the photovoltaic elements 210 is facilitated if thedevice is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, such aswhen embodied in the form of a window of a building.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional representation of the device 100 inaccordance with a further specific embodiment. In this embodiment, thedevice 100 comprises the photovoltaic elements 106 that are positionedat the edge of the panel as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2.

In addition, the device 100 comprises further photovoltaic elements 220,222. The further photovoltaic elements 220, 222 and the panel 104 are ina mutually overlapping relationship with each other. Specifically, thefurther photovoltaic elements 220, 220 extend in a direction along thereceiving surface of the panel 104. In this example, the furtherphotovoltaic elements 220, 222 are arranged opposite to each other. Inparticular, the further photovoltaic elements 222 extend on an edgeportion of the receiving surface for incident light, and the furtherphotovoltaic elements 220 extend on an edge portion of a surface that isopposite to the receiving surface. Specifically, the furtherphotovoltaic elements 220, 220 are in contact with the respectivesurface of the panel 104.

Further, each photovoltaic element 220; 222 has an active surfaceportion that is arranged to face towards the panel 104 such that lightthat is redirected along the panel 104 can be received not only by thephotovoltaic elements 106 but also by the further photovoltaic elements220, 222.

In some embodiments, the manufacture of the multilayered spectrallyselective panel 104 comprises a sputtering process. In this process, thepanel 104 of the device 100 is typically fixated at an edge portion ofthe panel 104. As a consequence, edge portions of the panel 104 consistof plain glass that omits the spectrally selective characteristics ofthe remaining panel 104. When incident light is redirected within andalong the panel 104, a portion of the redirected light may exit thepanel 104 through the edge portions. By covering the edge portions withthe further photovoltaic elements 220, 222, the rate of the collectedredirected incident light can be increased.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that an area forreceiving redirected incident light of the further photovoltaic elements220 may or may not be equal to an area of the photovoltaic elements 106.

In this example, the further photovoltaic elements 222 that arepositioned on the edge portions of the receiving surface are arranged toadditionally directly collect incident light. In particular, the furtherphotovoltaic elements 222 comprises at least first and second activesurface portions wherein the first active surface portion is arranged toface towards the panel and the second active surface portion is arrangedto face the incident light. In this example, the active surface portionsof the further photovoltaic elements are arranged to face in oppositedirections.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that in an alternativeembodiment, the photovoltaic elements 106 may not be required. Forexample, the photovoltaic elements 106 may be replaced by a reflectivecomponent such as an aluminium spacer.

Further, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that in analternative embodiment, the frame portion 102 may not be required.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional representation through a side portion ofthe frame structure 102 of the device 100 taken along line C to D ofFIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the invention. Inthis embodiment the frame structure 102 comprises the furtherphotovoltaic cell 200 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional representation of a device that relatesto the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5. The cross-section alsorelates to that taken along the line C to D of FIG. 1. In thisembodiment each side portion of the frame structure 102 of the device100 comprises a plurality of further photovoltaic elements 210 that areeach positioned on inclined planes in order to facilitate collection ofincident sunlight.

FIG. 9 illustrates a panel 300 in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. The panel 300 comprises in this embodiment afirst component panel 302 and a second component panel 304. The firstand second component panels 302, 304 are parallel to each other and areseparated by spacers 306, 308 that define a gap between the componentpanels 302, 304. The panel 300 may be provided in the form of aninsulated glass unit (IGUs). Photovoltaic elements 310, 312 arepositioned on interior surfaces of the spacers 306, 308. In thisembodiment the photovoltaic elements 310, 312 are positioned such that aportion of incident light that is redirected within the component panels302, 304, but escapes the component panels 302, 304 before it reachedthe edges of the component panels 302, 304 is collected by thephotovoltaic elements 310 or 312.

The panel 300 may comprise further photovoltaic elements positioned atedges of the panel 300. For example, additional photovoltaic elementsmay be positioned to collect light that is directed through the edges ofthe component panel 302, 304 (similar to the embodiment illustrated withreference to the FIG. 2). Further, the panel 300 may also comprisefurther photovoltaic elements positioned on either side of an edge ofthe panel 300 (similar to the outer photovoltaic elements 106illustrated with reference to FIG. 3). Further, the panel 300 maycomprise photovoltaic elements positioned along a portion of a surfaceof at least one of the first and second component panels 302, 304 asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring back to FIG. 9, internal surfaces of the component panels 302,304 may or may not be coated with suitable optical coatings that mayallow control of a transparency of the panel portions 302, 304 such aselectrochromic coatings. In one embodiment the panel 300 is provided inthe form of an IGU that has electrically controlled transparency and theenergy required for the electrical control is generated by thephotovoltaic elements of the panel.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a device 320 inaccordance with the present invention. The device 320 is of the type ofthe above-illustrated device 100 and has in this embodiment a frameportion 322 that has grooves 324 and 325 in which photovoltaic elements326 and 327 are positioned. Protective glass covers 328 and 329 arepositioned over the photovoltaic elements 326 and within the grooves.Further photovoltaic elements 330 are positioned on brackets 332 thatare attached to the frame portion 322. A panel 334 of theabove-described type has an edge that is positioned at the photovoltaiccells 327 and 328. The panel 334 protects the photovoltaic element 330from impact. The panel 334 directs incident light to edges of the panel334 and at least a portion of that light is collected by thephotovoltaic elements 327 and 330.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of four coupled devices 350. Each device 350is of the type of the device 100 described above. The devices 350 areinterconnected in a modular manner and held in frames 352 by brackets354. Each bracket 354 is coupled at a corner of a panel 356 using a boltthat penetrates through a hole provided within the panel. Photovoltaicelements 358 are positioned on the frame 352. The photovoltaic elementsmay or may not be positioned in grooves. In one variation the panels 356are not positioned in grooves, but are placed against photovoltaicelements (with suitable covers) that are positioned between the frames352 and the panels 356 and the panels are secures in position only bythe brackets 354 with bolts and a suitable adhering and sealing agentthat is applied along the edges of the panels 356.

FIG. 12 shows a device 400 comprising a spectrally selective panel inaccordance with a further embodiment. The device 400 also comprises aframe structure 102, a spectrally selective panel 104 and photovoltaicelements 106. In comparison with device 100 shown in FIG. 1, thespectrally selective panel 104 of the device 400 further comprises eightprojections 402 that project from edges or side portions of the panel104. The projections project within a plane of the spectrally selectivepanel and at which the frame 102 supports the spectrally selective panel104. In this particular embodiment, two projections are located at eachof the four edges of the panel 104. Further, the projections 402 areintegrally formed with the panel 104. The projections 402 are locatedsuch that they can be supported by the frame structure 102. For example,the frame structure 102 may comprise a channel portion that is arrangedto receive the projections 402. A person skilled in the art willappreciate that other arrangements of projections is envisaged. Forexample, the panel may have four projections, two projections beinglocated on opposite edges of the edges of the panel 104.

In this particular embodiment, the photovoltaic elements 106 are locatedat recesses of the spectrally selective panel 104 that are defined bythe projections 402.

Further, the spectrally selective panel 104 of the device 400 issupported by the frame such that the panel 104 is replaceable. In thisexample, the device 400 is arranged such that the spectrally selectivepanel 104 can be replaced without replacing the photovoltaic elements106.

FIG. 13 illustrates a wiring diagram that relates to the embodimentillustrated with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7. In this case, the device100 comprises photovoltaic elements 106 that are connected in parallelto each other. Further, the photovoltaic elements 200 are also connectedin parallel to each other. The wiring diagram 450 further shows diodes452 that control a direction of current flow and thereby reduce anadverse influence (current back-flow) on the overall output of thedevice 100. In this embodiment each photovoltaic element 106 and eachphotovoltaic element 200 is in series connected with a respective diode452. It will be appreciated that in a variation of the describedembodiment each diode 452 may also be in series connected with a groupof photovoltaic cells. In general, photovoltaic elements of comparablepositioning are grouped together and connected in parallel with anothersuch group of photovoltaic elements in order to reduce an influence of alocal defect or an effect of a shadow on a specific portion of thedevice on the overall current output.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a similar wiringdiagram as shown in FIG. 13 can be applied to the specific embodimentshown in FIG. 6 in which the further photovoltaic cells 220 arepositioned along a portion of the surface of the panel.

Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown a system 500 for providingelectric energy comprising a plurality of devices 100 as shown inFIG. 1. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that thesystem 500 may comprise a plurality of devices that are similar to thedevice 100 but do not necessarily have a frame structure.

In this particular embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the system 500 comprisesthree devices 100 that are electrically connected in parallel. However,a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the plurality ofdevices may be electrically connected in series. A combination of bothis also envisaged, for example, a series of three devices may beconnected in parallel with another series of three devices.

The system 500 further comprises three diodes 502, 504 and 506 that areconfigured to control a direction of a flow of a current generated byeach of the devices 100.

Similarly, the photovoltaic elements 106 of each device may beelectrically connected in parallel and diodes may be connected in amanner such that the current flow in each device can be controlled.

Referring back to the system 500 as shown in FIG. 14, the system 500further comprises a cooling arrangement (not shown) for cooling thephotovoltaic elements of the three of devices 100. The photovoltaicelements 106 have a tendency to heat up during use. By cooling thephotovoltaic elements 106, efficiency of the elements 106 can beimproved. The cooling arrangement can comprise a heat sink or vents thatmay be positioned on or at a portion of the frame 102. The coolingarrangement may additionally be arranged to transfer heat to water.

It should be appreciated that such cooling arrangement may also beconnected to a single device such as device 100 or device 400.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a spectrally selective panel 600 according toan embodiment of the present invention is now described. The spectrallyselective panel 600 may for example replace the spectrally selectivepanel 104 and photovoltaic elements 106 described above with referenceto FIG. 1. The spectrally selective panel 600 reduces transmission ofradiation having a wavelength in an IR wavelength band while beinglargely transmissive for visible light. In a variation of thisembodiment the panel 600 may reduce transmission of IR and visible lightand direct IR and visible light to edges of the selective panel 600.

The spectrally selective panel 600 comprises a first panel 602 and asecond panel 604. The first and second panels 602 and 604 are spacedapart such that an air gap is formed. In an alternative embodiment thegap may be filled with any other suitable dielectric material. The firstpanel 602 comprises panel portions 606 and 608 and the panel portion 606has a profiled surface on which a multilayered optical interferencecoating 610 is positioned. The profiled surface together with theoptical interference coating 610 forms a reflective component.

In another variation (not shown) the first panel 602 comprises two panelportions that both have profiled mating surfaces at which the multilayercoating is positioned and at which the panel portions are joined using asuitable optical adhesive.

The spectrally selective panel 600 has a receiving surface 612 via whichradiation, such as sunlight, is received. The reflective component isarranged to reflect a portion of incident radiation that penetratedthrough the second panel 604 and through a depth portion of the firstpanel 602 to the reflective component. The reflective componentcomprises a series of reflective portions 614 that are inclined relativeto the receiving surface 612 of the second panel 604. The reflectiveportions 614 are oriented and the layer 610 is arranged such that aportion of the received incident radiation is re-directed within andalong the spectrally selective panel 600.

The reflective portions 614 are inclined such that, when the panel 600is positioned in a suitable vertical position, spectrally selectedsunlight (dependent on properties of the layer 610) that is incident atan angle of 40 to 50 degrees above horizon is redirected and guided(facilitated by total internal reflection at interfaces) towards edgesof the spectrally selective panel 600.

The spectrally selective panel 600 directs light to photovoltaicelements 616 which are held by a frame (not shown) that is similar tothe frame 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

The panel portions 606, 608 and the second panel 604 may be formed fromany suitable material, such as glass or a polymeric material.

In this embodiment each reflective portion 614 is provided in the formof a strip that may have any suitable length and a width of the order of0.01-1 mm, 0.05-0.5, 0.7-0.3 mm, such as of the order of 0.1 mm. In analternative embodiment each reflective portion 614 may also have alarger width, such as a width larger than 1 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm or 20 mm.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a spectrally selective panel 700 according toan embodiment of the present invention is now described. The spectrallyselective panel 700 may replace the spectrally selective panel 104 andphotovoltaic elements 106 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Thespectrally selective panel 700 reduces transmission of light having awavelength in an IR wavelength band while being largely transmissive forvisible light and is arranged to divert IR light and use the diverted IRlight for generation of electrical energy. In a variation of thisembodiment the panel 700 may reduce transmission of IR and visible lightand direct IR and visible light to edges of the selective panel 700.

The spectrally selective panel 700 comprises in this embodiment glasspanels 702 and 704. A diffractive element 706 is provided on a face ofthe glass panel 702. The glass panels 702 and 704 are spaced apart by agap filled with a material 708 that functions as an adhesive as well astransparent matrix into which the scattering and/or luminescentmaterials are incorporated thus making it a composite functionalmaterial.

Exterior surfaces of the panels 702 and 704 are coated with multilayercoatings 712 and 710, respectively. Photovoltaic elements 714 arepositioned at side portions of the spectrally selective panel 700 andare supported by a frame structure (not shown), which is similar to theframe structure 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

The diffractive element 706 is arranged for spectrally deflecting ofincident and reflected IR and/or visible light, and for transmission ofvisible light. In this particular example, the diffractive element 706is a transmission-mode blazed diffraction grating and is designed suchthat the majority of the incident solar (IR) light is deflected into asingle preferential order of diffraction, with the grating designfeatures optimized for the light incidence angle that is governed by theexpected typical mid-day solar radiation incidence angle onto windowsurfaces. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that thediffractive element 706 can also be operated in reflection-mode as wellas being designed to deflect predominantly within the IR spectral rangeinto a multiplicity of transmitted and/or reflected diffraction orders.

Spectral properties of the diffractive element 706 can be designed bythose skilled in the art by adjusting the following parameters:refractive index, grating profile shape, blaze angle, duty cycle,grating period, number of phase levels and etching depth(s). In thisparticular example, the diffractive optical element 706 comprises aplurality of grooves 713, each groove having a distance in the range of4 μm to an adjacent groove (grating period).

The plurality of grooves 713 and the gap between the glass panels 702,704 are filled with the material 708. The material 708 is a luminescentscattering powder comprising an epoxy. The material 708 providesadhesive, luminescence and also scattering functions. The scattering ofincident light by the luminescent scattering powder increases a portionof the light that is directed towards side portions of the panel 700.

Light that is incident from a transversal direction of the spectrallyselective panel may be absorbed by the luminescent material resulting inemission of luminescence radiation that is emitted in random directions.This results in radiation that is less transversely oriented than theincident radiation and consequently facilitates direction of lighttowards side portions of the glass panels 702 and 704 towards the solarcells 714 for generation of electrical energy.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the glass panels 702and 704 may also be doped with luminescent materials that absorb aportion of the incoming IR, visible and UV light and emit luminescentradiation in random directions.

The coating 710 is a multilayer coating and is in this embodimentarranged to reflect incident IR light within a wide IR wavelength band.The coating 710 will be described in detail further below.

A portion of IR light that is reflected by the layer 710 in atransversal direction is scattered by the material 708 such thatcorresponding light intensity is directed by multiple scattering and/orinternal reflection towards the solar cells 714. Consequently, thescattering properties of the material 708 facilitate reduction ofthroughput of IR radiation and efficiency of energy generation.

The top coating 712 can have either the anti-reflective properties inthe UV and visible wavelength ranges—in order to use as much incident UVenergy within the panel structure as is available, and therefore excitea range of inorganic luminophores, or alternatively it can havehigh-reflection properties in the UV and also anti-reflection propertiesacross the visible wavelength range and at the same time functions as apartial IR reflector. The visible-range antireflection properties canalso be adjusted by design to minimize reflection of the incident lightenergy within a particular range of incidence angles. In anotherembodiment, the top coating 712 is arranged to be highly-reflective forthe UV radiation whilst being antireflective for the visible light andoptionally also highly-reflective within an IR wavelength (sub)-bandwithin which the luminophore materials emit light. The high-reflectivityproperty in the UV band is in this example used to protect theluminophores from being adversely affected by the incident UV radiation.

The multi-layered structures 610, 710 will now be described in furtherdetail. These coatings are optical interference coatings and arearranged to reflect incident IR radiation. A person skilled in the artwill appreciate that in a variation of this embodiment the opticalinterference coatings may also be arranged such that the multi-layeredstructure reflects visible light, or IR and visible light.

In this example the multi-layered structure is of a metal-dielectricedge-filter design type. The multi-layered structure may comprise one ormore stacks of layers (optical interference coatings).

In this embodiment the multi-layered structures 610, 710 are arrangedsuch that the fraction of total integrated solar-IR radiation powercontained within the wavelengths range of 700-1700 nm and that transmitsoptically only approximately 4%. In an alternative embodiment themulti-layered structure may for example also comprise a sequence oflayers that result in low thermal emissivity properties and may havesolar control functions.

The multi-layered structures 610, 710 have in this embodiment also ahigh reflectivity (>90% or even >98%) of solar radiation across a wideUV band of solar radiation within the general limits between 300-410 nm.The multi-layered structures 110 and 710 may be formed from metallic anddielectric materials. Alternatively, the multilayered structures may beformed exclusively form dielectric materials. The multi-layeredstructures 610, 710 may alternatively also be arranged to have differentreflective properties, and may be reflective for a portion of visiblelight (especially for applications in which the panel 600, 700 is usedto provide light for illumination of interior spaces).

The following will summarise the design of a particular example of themulti-layered structures 610, 710. The multi-layered structure is inthis example a multiple stack edge mirror that comprises layers ofdielectric materials. Each of say 3 stacks comprises typically more than10 component layers. Layer properties may be calculated as follows usinga suitable software routine and a high-performance Needle Optimizationor Random Optimization, or Genetic algorithms, for example:

S{a}(L/2HL/2)^(m){b}(L/2HL/2)^(n){c}(L/2HL/2)^(p){d}(LMHML)^(q)

with S identifying the location of the substrate with respect of filmsequence and L, H and M denoting the quarter-wave optical thicknesslayers of the corresponding materials. The design wavelength in each setof brackets is varied according to the preceding multiplication factorin the “{ }” brackets, with respect to a base design wavelength. Forexample for a design wavelength of 500 nm, the optical layer thicknessesin the sub-stack {2.0}(HLM)10 is calculated as being 1000 nm for alllayers within that sub-stack within the “( )” brackets. Consequently,the physical thickness of each the layer “H” is 1000 nm/(4*n(H)). Theaim of the optimization algorithm is to minimise sub-stack repetitionindices m, n, p, and q as well as minimise the total thickness and layernumber required to achieve the desired spectral response shape for anygiven application. Another goal is to optimize the local (sub-stacks)individual design-wavelength multiplication factors a, b, c, and d. Ifdesired, in any additional layers may be inserted into the sequence oflayers, in between sub-stacks or any index-matching layers in order tofurther adjust a resultant performance and spectrum the multi-layeredstructure 610, 710.

An example of one embodiment of this design approach is provided in thefollowing:

S{2.11}(L/2HL/2)¹²{1.64}(L/2HL/2)⁸{2.85}(L/2HL/2)⁸{1.4}(LMHM L)¹

A (base) design wavelength of 500 nm was used for the optimisation andthe materials used were Ta₂O₅, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂. 61 layers in thedeposition sequence (thickness ¼ of the wavelength of the radiation),total thickness of coating shown in this example is 9.4 μm.

Both the low-wavelength and the high-wavelength transmission slopes canbe shifted spectrally and thus the slope locations can be controlled,through adjusting the design sequence and individual layer thicknesses.The high-transmission band is shifted towards the green-red region inthis example, as well as a rather narrow short-wave-rejection bandresults from this example design.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the multi-layeredstructure may take various different forms and may comprise a sequenceof layers of both dielectric and metallic materials. Alternatively themulti-layered structure may comprise exclusively dielectric materials.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particularexamples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, a devicesuch as device 100 may also comprise a mirror that is supported by asupport of the frame 102 of the device. The mirror may be located at orin the proximity of a side portion or an edge of the spectrallyselective panel 104. At least a portion of IR light that is incident onthe spectrally selective panel 104 is directed towards the photovoltaicelements 106 via the mirror.

1. A device for generating electric energy, the device comprising: apanel that is at least partially transmissive for visible light, thepanel having a receiving surface for receiving incident light and beingarranged such that a portion of the incident light is redirected towardsregions that are at edges of the panel; and a plurality of photovoltaicelements comprising a first and a second photovoltaic element that arepositioned at or in the proximity of the same edge of the panel, thefirst photovoltaic element being substantially perpendicular to thesecond photovoltaic element, the second photovoltaic element facing asurface portion that is parallel or oriented along the receiving surfaceof the panel to receive light that is redirected through the area in theproximity of the edge; a plurality of diodes comprising first and seconddiodes that are series connected with the first and second photovoltaicelements, the first photovoltaic element and the first diode beingparallel connected with the second photovoltaic and the second diode;wherein one of the first and second photovoltaic elements is positionedto receive light that is redirected through the edge of the panel andthe other photovoltaic element is positioned to receive light that isredirected through an area in the proximity of the edge; and wherein thedevice is arranged to generate the electricity from at least a portionof the redirected light.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the firstphotovoltaic element is facing the edge and arranged to receive lightthat is redirected through the edge and the second photovoltaic elementis positioned adjacent the edge
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein thesecond photovoltaic element is oriented substantially parallel and over,or parallel and below, the receiving surface of the panel.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the first and second photovoltaic elements areoriented along that same edge of the panel.
 5. The device of claim 1wherein the first and second photovoltaic elements are electricallyparallel connected to each other.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein thepanel has a plurality of edges and the first photovoltaic element is oneof a plurality of photovoltaic elements that are positioned at differentedges and the second photovoltaic element is one of a plurality ofphotovoltaic elements that are positioned at different edges.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1 comprising a frame structure for supporting the panelat an edge or side portion of the panel.
 8. The device of claim 7wherein the device comprises at least one further photovoltaic elementthat is positioned on the frame structure or on the panel and arrangedto collect incident light that is directed towards the frame structure.9. The device of claim 7 wherein the frame structure has a groove orchannel in which at least one photovoltaic element is positioned. 10.The device of claim 9 wherein an optically transmissive covering ispositioned over the at least one photovoltaic element and in the grooveor channel to protect the at least one photovoltaic element.
 11. Thedevice of claim 9 wherein an edge of the panel is positioned within orat the groove or channel and wherein the at least one photovoltaicelement has a width that is larger than a thickness of the panel and ispositioned such that at least a portion of light that is guided towardsthe edge of the panel, but is scattered out of the panel in theproximity of the edge, is collected by the at least one photovoltaicelement. 12-16. (canceled)
 17. The device of claim 1 wherein at leastone of the photovoltaic elements is positioned to receive light that isredirected towards a region that is at edges or side portion of thepanel and has a receiving surface that is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the receiving surface of the panel.
 18. The device ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the photovoltaic elements is positionedto receive light that is redirected towards a region that is at edges orside portion of the panel and has a receiving surface that is positionedsubstantially parallel to the receiving surface of the panel.
 19. Thedevice of claim 18 wherein at least two photovoltaic elements arepositioned to receive light that is redirected towards regions that isat edges or side portion of the panel and are arranged in a mutuallyoverlapping relationship to each other.
 20. The device of claim 1comprising at least one coupling for coupling to external electricdevices and wherein the at least one coupling is positioned at a surfaceportion of the frame structure such that the at least one coupling isaccessible from a location outside the device.
 21. The device of claim 1comprising a cooling arrangement that is arranged for cooling the atleast one photovoltaic element.
 22. A system comprising a plurality ofdevices in accordance with claim 1 and that are electrically connectedwherein the plurality of devices are electrically connected in parallel.23. (canceled)
 24. The system of claim 22 comprising at least oneelectrical coupling electrically interconnecting a plurality of thedevices in a modular manner.
 25. The system of claim 24 comprising aplurality of diodes that is arranged to control a direction of a flow ofa current generated by the at least one photovoltaic element of eachdevice such that an adverse influence of a direction of current flow ina portion of the device on an output of the device is reduced.
 26. Amethod of manufacturing the device in accordance with claim 1, themethod comprising the steps of: providing the panel; providing the framestructure; providing the photovoltaic elements; positioning thephotovoltaic elements in or on the frame structure; and thereafterpositioning the panel into or on the frame structure. 27-28. (canceled)